The food industry is facing a rapid increase in demand for “all natural” food. Consumers increasingly ask for “clean label” food. Food manufacturers respond by changing ingredient names, changing ingredients altogether, looking for alternatives to satisfy the consumer. But the all natural trend offers not just challenges; for the observant food manufacturer, there are also plenty of opportunities.

Clean label: what exactly do consumers demand?

Within the food industry, clean label is a relatively well-known concept. But it is hard to translate to consumer demands, because most of them do not use the term clean label in the same way producers do. They tend to put clean label on par with “natural”, which means so much as being produced with conventional agriculture, to being minimally processed – which includes not using processes the consumer finds unfamiliar – to being GMO-free. Because of food scares, clean label is also about safety: food that is free-from hidden contaminants such as insecticides or heavy metals. All in all, that means clean label seems to have become a blanket term for “anything that seems healthy and safe”.

Demand for Etenia is strong. This potato starch derivative is now being produced at the food processing plant in Ter Apelkanaal, using a line on which also other starch derivatives are produced. Due to the growing demand for this innovative product, there was no longer efficient room, so a solution was needed. It was found in the expansion of the former Minerale-Lactaten-Fabriek (MILP), a few steps away, on the same production location.

Etenia is used in foods for example as a gelatine substitute. It makes yoghurt creamy, but can also be used to make wine gums. It is entirely vegetable-based. There is strong demand for this innovative product. Avebe has responded to this by setting up a new production line in the former MILP in Ter Apelkanaal. Anton Venema, project manager of the Etenia MILP expansion: ‘The MILP wasn’t being used much anymore and is already equipped with a spray drier, which will now become part of Etenia’s production line.’

The conversion of the production location started in March 2017. Mr Venema: ‘The first step was to take out the old equipment, and now the new production line is being built. Because it is based on an existing factory situation, we call this a ‘brown field project’. This is as opposed to a ‘green field project’, in which everything is built from scratch. Brown field projects are trickier because they involve more challenges. You have to make sure that everything connects up properly. It’s precisely those challenges that make the project so enjoyable. We’ve made good progress up to now. We expect to have the production line ready on a short notice.

21 Aug 2017 — The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a dietary fiber intake of at least 30g per day. Currently, the average dietary fiber intake among adults in the US is about 15 grams a day. CFF GmbH & Co. KG (CFF) produces natural dietary fiber concentrations that are suitable for dietary fiber enrichment in many food applications.

The high functionality of the company’s product SANACEL fibers is at the forefront of the company, and producing dietary fibers from raw materials is where CFF are seeing a lot of potential for the food industry.

The demand for vegan confectionery is on the rise around the world. The challenge for the food industry is to embed this trend so they can meet the needs of this growing group of customers. Because why not produce confectionery without any gelatin?

Avebe has created a 100% green & plant-based solution made from potato starch and potato protein named Perfectasol™. This ingredient is able to mimic the texturing functionality of gelatin, both foaming and gelling, and produces great-tasting animal-free (vegan) confectionery.

While health and nutrition is top of mind for dairy consumers nowadays, taste remains the key driver. When it comes to boosting creaminess and texture in yoghurts, increasing fat and protein levels are commonly used.

With ETENIA™ QS, the latest extension of AVEBE’s innovative E-number-free ETENIA™-range, it is now possible to produce cost-optimized yoghurts with remarkable creamy texture, as well as shiny and smooth appearance!

ETENIA™ QS is the clean label solution for dairy products that offers a clean taste profile, and is Kosher and Halal certified. ETENIA™ QS has been designed to fit existing processes and meets shelf-life requirements for yoghurts. ETENIA™ QS is stable at low-pH and resists shear and heat.